Call us crazy, but Preston and I will be running a race Friday morning. Why yes, we’re scheduled to close on our new house this afternoon, but we can’t pass up the opportunity to kick off the July 4th holiday with Team RWB at the Firecracker 5k on Friday.
We ran this race last year, and it was one of the first races that I put on my 2014 race calendar. This race is put on by one of our local running stores, Potomac River Running, and I have yet to be disappointed with any of their races. Their races are always super organized, with plenty of food and water available post race.
Having run this race last year, I know what to expect on the course. There is a slight uphill to finish the race, which isn’t ideal, but at least I know that going into the race this year (it was a bit of a surprise last year). Other than that, the course is pretty flat, which excites me, especially since the weather has been super hot and humid this week.
With how crazy this week already has been, and is going to continue to be, and knowing that I need to run 9.5 miles this weekend for my long run, I don’t plan to push my body too hard during Friday’s race, especially if its as hot and humid Friday morning as its been the last couple of days. That doesn’t mean though that I don’t have goals in the back of my mind for this race.
Goal A – Finish the race in under 30:13 (9:45 pace) – my current treadmill PR
Goal B – Finish the race in under 31:40 (10:12 pace) – my current race PR from the Jaguar 5k back in April
Goal C – Finish the race in under 35:08 (11:20 pace) – last year’s Firecracker 5k finish time
At last year’s Firecracker 5k
While these paces are a bit spread out, my mind is focused on so many things other than running right now that I’ll really be playing this race by ear and deciding Friday morning how much I want to push myself.
QOTD: Do you run races during super busy times in your life?
You have been doing so well with your training that your Friday 5k should go well. Being busy can actually take away race day anxiety and do not worry about your 9.5 long run over the weekend. If you wait until Sunday, you can still push Friday during your race! Hope it goes really well and you meet your A goal!
I’m also thinking that waiting until Sunday to do my long run will help me to push myself tomorrow morning.
Good luck! I think it’s great to have multiple goals for a race, you are bound to hit one!
That’s what I’m hoping for!
I like how you give yourself multiple goals so that you don’t set your self up for disappointment. You never know how you will feel at any given race. I will be running it too with my son so no goals here. Hope I get to see you at the photo meet up pre race. Have a great time!
Going out and running for fun will be a great way to spend time with your son.
Oh mannnn. 30:13 is my current 5K PR! Now I wish I had signed up for the Firecracker 5K that day (I’m also in the area) instead of the one I did sign up for. We’d be aiming for the same time haha.
And yeah, I’d say that between moving, grad school, working full time, and beginning a structured marathon training plan, probably racing 3 weeks in a row counts as racing during a super busy time 😛
Sounds like you’ve been super busy as well! Good luck with your race tomorrow.
Good luck! And yes, I totally run races at inopportune times in my life. You never think that week is going to be busy when you sign up for the race….
Who knew?!?
You got this!!!!
🙂
Have a great race!! I’ll hope for good weather for you! I’m doing an 8K on Sunday and would not-so-secretly love to PR too.
Good luck to you on Sunday!
Good luck Kathryn! I know you’ll hit one of those goals! Sounds like a fun race!
Thanks Mindy!
Sounds like so much fun! Wish I was running on the 4th! Good luck and I hope you meet your goals! Good luck on the house too, I can’t wait to see pics!
Thanks Meranda!
Great goals – you can do it! I am crossing my fingers it will not be too humid.
Me too!
sounds like such a good time! best of luck!!
I wish we had more races on holidays-I would love to do them. and you would think with a city as big as LA we would!
Yey! I will be there too sporting my Team RWB gear as well! Would love to say hi!!
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